Farmers Markets are opening!

Katie and I love to shop the Farmer's Market in our town.  It was one of the first things we did together when we became friends.  This week our Farmer's Market moves outside and opens up in full swing downtown...... and yes we will be there!  I am sure that Farmer's Markets are starting all over as well, look up the one in your area and see when they start.

Photo Credit:  MJS Photography at the Lexington Farmer's Market

My grandfather used to take his crops to the Farmer's Market.  I can see him sitting on the bed of his Dodge truck in his blue jean overalls handing out veggies to his customers like it was yesterday.  What a precious memory!

When you buy things from the Farmer's Market you:

• Support the local economy
• Conserve fuel energy
• Preserve farmland
• Eat healthier
• Keep the growing of local foods alive
• Help farmers get a fair price for their product
• Keep your food money in Kentucky
  
  

Never shopped at the Farmer's Market?  Wondering what you will find there?

Photo Credit: MJS Photography at the Lexington Farmer's Market

• Fresh produce and eggs
• Fresh cut flowers and floral arrangements
  
• Vegetable and flower transplants, seeds
  
• Heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables.
  
• Organic vegetables and fruits
  
• Local honey and honey products
  
• Local Wines
• Local farm raised beef, chicken and pork
  
• Freshwater prawns and tilapia
  
• Game Birds
  
• Fresh and Dried Herbs
  
• Mushrooms
  
• Locally produced cheeses and breads
  
• Soap and Body Care Products
  
• Gourds, pumpkins and fall decorations
• Pet Treats

Photo Credit:  MJS Photography at the Lexington Farmer's Market

Go here for a list of the vendors that participate in Lexington.   Some of my favorites are Triple J Farm, Elmwood Stock Farm  and Good Shepherd Cheese (not on the list).


I learned an interesting fact this week about the Farmer's market.  Did you know that Farmer's Market's all over take SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)?  Bread, meat, eggs, dairy, produce, seeds and seedlings that produce food can be purchased with them.  Check with your local Farmer's Market to see if they accept them.  What an amazing idea that seeds and seedlings can be purchased with your SNAP dollars.  That way they can go home and plant a vegetable that will feed them all summer long!

Whole Foods - Kid's Cooking Class

Today we went to Whole Foods for a Kid's Cooking Class.  If you have a Whole Foods in your area and small children, I highly recommend taking them to a class.  Today they learned how to make sweet potato muffins.  They had hands on experience using the mixer, mashing the potatoes and adding ingredients.  Each kid got a turn and was able to smell the spices, as well as taste some of the ingredients before they went in.  Lindsey, the Healthy Eating Specialist, explained what they were doing and helped them follow the recipe.

While the muffins were in the oven, she took them on a short tour of the store.

The first stop, of course, was the produce section.  They all talked about their favorite fruits and vegetables and sampled some as well.  They were able to touch and feel different vegetables that maybe they had never felt before.

The next stop was the Meat and Fish department, where they got to see a fish up close and personally.

After the tour, their muffins were done and they each got to take one home.  The kids had so much fun learning and cooking a food that they might not have thought about before.

They have a different class every two weeks.  Contact the store to sign your child up for a class.  I promise they will enjoy it!!  Whole Foods is an excellent source for eating healthy foods that you aren't growing yourself.   Go to their website,  Whole Foods to see the schedule of events.  If you do not live in Lexington, go this site as well and put in the zip code for your area and it will pull up your nearest Whole Foods.  New to Whole Foods?  They have adult classes too.  I took a class there in the beginning to learn about shopping for healthy foods on a budget.


Melissa